The Piranha by PMI is a great gun for the newbies. And, like the spyder can be upgraded very easily and cheaply. One of my local players has a piranha and I'll put it up to any spyder, Tippmann, or Automag. It has some very good traits and some very bad traits. But for a good all around player the PMI can be a great gun. A stock gun I'll give 3 stars, but if tricked properly it will get a 4 star any day.
1.) Gas Consumption: Well, the PMI isn't the best on gas consumption. It will average a little less than a spyder. On an average day (Air Temperature is a factor on gas consumption) you'll get around 600-650 shots (With Velocity all the way up) with a 20 ounze Co2. An Expansion Chamber will help with this gas guzzler.
2.) Rate of Fire: The Piranha's rate of fire isn't something to brag about. A good player with a good trigger finger can pull off a good 15-20 shots in 5 seconds. I'm not to impressed with the Piranha's trigger pull. It's a little hard. A double finger trigger might also be a good idea.
3.) Range and Accuracy: The stock piranha is an all around average gun,but not as quite as good as a spyder stock. The one thing that impressed me was that the bolt on a Piranha is rear cocking. And that the parts and inside of the gun has a CERAMIC coating.(Yes STOCK)This helps on range and accuracy. A friend of mine had a stock piranha and stuck a 12" Smart Parts Aluminum barrel and a Starfire Bolt. (Helped Tremendously) The one thing that a Piranha has that a spyder doesn't is it's quietness. (I'm guessing the rear cocking bolt helped along with a good barrel) I've been shot a many a times by that thing, and you never hear the shot's. All you hear is the whisper and squeal as the paintball zooms by. (Which a EXPERIENCED player can hear coming)Also, despite the stock bolt having no venturi whatsoever, doesn't get many ball breaks. I'll say you'll get on average a break every 100 to 150 shots. (With a good barrel, the stock barrels are OK on the Piranha) My friend with the 12" Barrel can knock a flea of a fly's back at 30 yards. The grouping is great. After 30 yards the tight grouping begins to dissipate SLIGHTLY. (Remember this is WITHOUT the stock barrel) But the 2 things that doesn't fly with me about the piranha is A) There is no velocity and hard hitting power WHATSOEVER with this gun. You will have to max out your velocity with this gun and it will shoot 280 fps. TOPS. B) There is ALOT of sputtering and coughing with the Piranha. It goes through more O-rings than any other gun i've ever seen. Over all the range is low and the accuracy is great.
4.) Durability and Cleaning: The cleaning of this gun is a BREEZE..(Something Kingman and other's need to follow) There are 2 pins, jus a quick push and you have your bolt and striker laying on your lap, a quick run through water or a squeeg in barral and your ready to go. The durability is pretty good, much like a spyder, but the gun runs through ALOT of O-rings. (A problem somewhere??) The striker O rings go out at least once a game. Coughing and Sputtering is also a problem with this gun. It's not common to hear a Piranha go "Fully Auto" while in play.
The PMI is a great gun for a great price. It can be upgraded to a AWESOME gun......Check your playing style and choose between a spyder and Piranha if your looking for first gun.
Rooster =o)
